Continuing its quarterly tradition of recognizing and awarding excellence in educators and students in the Marietta City school system, the Kiwanis Club of Marietta proudly honored the spring 2014 recipients of the GEM awards during a spirited luncheon at Marietta High School in April.

Kiwanis members Jan Blodgett and Jackie Whitt created the GEM awards in 1996 to recognize educators and students who “go the extra mile” in serving their schools and communities. Nominations honoring these educators of excellence and students of substance are accepted on a quarterly basis from colleagues and voted on by peers. GEM plaques are on display and available for public viewing at each school throughout the system.

For more information, contact Executive Director Pat Huey at executivedirector@mariettakiwanis.org or (770) 432-1760.

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The Cobb Photographic Society is turning 40! Founded in 1974 by seven men from Marietta, the Cobb Photographic Society is a local camera club that sponsors programs, competitions, field trips and lectures about photography. Members range in skill levels from absolute beginner to retired professional, instructors and hobbyists. The club meets on the first and third Monday of each month at the Marietta Enrichment Center. The membership fee is $25 per year and is open to anyone. For more information, visit www.cobbphotosociety.com.

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On Friday, Crash The Lights, a Wisconsin based Indie/pop rock band, founded in 2013 by Eric McKinney in Madison, Wisconsin, will play at Swayze’s Venue in Marietta at 7 p.m.

Crash The Lights music covers a wide variety of genres including anything from acoustic, jazz, hard rock, and percussive breakdowns. When playing live, McKinney will assemble a band to play with, and based on the individual musicians, the feel or style of a song could vary slightly making the bands live show unique, fresh and exclusive every time they play.

Swayze’s is at 2543 Bells Ferry Road, Suite 650, Marietta.

For more information, visit CrashTheLights.com.

Sally Litchfield is a longtime Marietta resident. She formerly practiced law in Marietta and now stays home to raise her two children. Send Sally news at sallylit@bellsouth.net. Call Sally at (770) 425-8106.

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